Creating a distinctive identity as a painter is part of what makes your work collectible. It can be approached in various ways, such working in a particular painting style or restricting your choice of subject matter (which can be to a category, such as animals, or far more specific, such as only cars or frogs ). Painter Ashley Cecil has taken another tack, opting for a "marriage between painting and social activism".Ashley specializes in paintings of organizations and individuals who "work for social change" and donates a portion of a painting's price to the particular organization. Ashley writes about her work and sells her paintings in a blog called The Painting Journalist.
Asked about it, Ashley said: "The concept of 'painting journalism' came about last year when I decided that I had far too many balls in the air with a variety of freelance jobs. I brainstormed about how to eliminate or consolidate my interests and work. I narrowed my strongest interests down to my volunteer work and social activism, and my strongest skill set to painting.
"At the end of this career-rehab process, I decided to paint only about the issues I personally cared about and, within the parameters of a blog, turn the concept into an online business. I wanted to raise awareness about the organizations and individuals making positive changes in the world through my artwork. I also wanted my readers to feel that they were apart of this change, so I decided to donate part of the proceeds of my art sales back to the corresponding organizations.
"In the beginning, I expected that finding a steady stream of material for my paintings would be challenging; that has been the least of my worries. I'm on several PR lists and my email inbox is often sprinkled with story leads. In general, finding events and organizations involved in humanitarian and philanthropic work is fortunately very easy. The entire process has been incredibly humbling and great for the soul.
"Now, if I can just perfect the business side of this venture, I think I'll be the luckiest person on earth. A self-sufficient painter using her talent to benefit the nonprofit world and all people it serves!"
Take a look at how Ashley describes the world with a paint brush on The Painting Journalist...
See Also:
• How to Develop a Personal Painting Style
• Amateur vs Professional Artist
• 10 Steps to a Successful Career Change (From About's Job Search Guide)
• Quiz: Should You Change Careers? (From About's Career Planning Guide)
Image: © Ashley Cecil. Used with Permission.
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